Guzan wins Panasonic Goalkeeper of the Year; Revs' Parkhurst and Crew honored with Fair Play awards

NEW YORK - Marking the first of the 2007 Major League Soccer year-end awards, Major League Soccer announced that Chivas USA goalkeeper Brad Guzan was voted the 2007 Panasonic Goalkeeper of the Year and New England Revolution defender Michael Parkhurst was named the winner of the MLS Fair Play award. The Columbus Crew earned the MLS Team Fair Play award, recognizing the Major League Soccer club with the fewest disciplinary points during the 2007 regular season.

The MLS Goalkeeper of the Year and the Individual Fair Play award were determined by equal voting from the media, MLS players and MLS coaches and general managers.

Guzan, 23, in only his third year as a professional, was awarded the League's top honor for goalkeepers after leading his club to the best record in the Western Conference (15-7-8), ranking first among goalkeepers in shutouts (13), tied for second in wins (14) and second in goals against average (0.93). Guzan's 13 shutouts rank as the second most all-time behind Tony Meola's 16 in 2000. His goals-against average was the fourth best of all-time in MLS.

The native of Homer Glen, Ill., and former South Carolina Gamecock anchored a strong defense that allowed just 28 goals this season, the second-best mark in MLS this season. Guzan was the regular starter in Chivas USA's inaugural season in 2005, but managed only three wins as the team opened with a 4-22-6 record. In his second year, Guzan played in 13 games and tallied a record of 3-6-4.

Guzan becomes the 10th different player to win the Goalkeeper of the Year award. Only two players have received the award more than once (Joe Cannon and Pat Onstad). He led the voting ahead of Houston Dynamo goalkeeper Pat Onstad and New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis.

Parkhurst, 23, a native of Cranston, R.I., and a defender for the New England Revolution was the epitome of fair play this season and is honored as the 2007 Fair Play winner. In 25 games played during the regular season, he committed only five fouls and received no cautions or red cards. Regarded by many to be one of the best center backs in League, Parkhurst has a remarkable ability to read the game, position himself defensively, and diffuse attacks gracefully.

Parkhurst missed the first three games of the 2007 campaign while recovering from a preseason shoulder injury, but came back strong to lead New England to the second best record in the Eastern Conference. Parkhurst was voted to the 2007 Sierra Mist All-Star team as a First XI selection and also earned his first U.S. Men's National team cap during the 2007 CONCACAF Gold Cup.

The Columbus Crew claimed the Team Fair Play award for accumulating the fewest disciplinary points during the 2007 season (272.5 points). Disciplinary points are assigned as follows: one point for each caution point received by a player, 10 points for each red card, 0.50 points for each foul committed, and a reduction of 15 points for every clean game in which a team does not receive either a yellow or red card nor has a player sanctioned by the MLS Disciplinary Committee.

MLS Goalkeeper of the Year Winners:

2007: Brad Guzan - Chivas USA

2006: Troy Perkins - D.C. United

2005: Pat Onstad - San Jose Earthquakes

2004: Joe Cannon - Colorado Rapids

2003: Pat Onstad - San Jose Earthquakes

2002: Joe Cannon - San Jose Earthquakes

2001: Tim Howard - MetroStars

2000: Tony Meola - Kansas City Wizards

1999: Kevin Hartman - Los Angeles Galaxy

1998: Zach Thornton - Chicago Fire

1997: Brad Friedel - Columbus Crew